Israeli Army Says 600 Soldiers Killed Since October 7

A soldier looks on as he carries the casket of Israeli soldier Sergeant Major Alon Kudriashov who was killed in Gaza during the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, at his funeral, in Modiin, Israel, March 31, 2024. REUTERS/Nir Elias
A soldier looks on as he carries the casket of Israeli soldier Sergeant Major Alon Kudriashov who was killed in Gaza during the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, at his funeral, in Modiin, Israel, March 31, 2024. REUTERS/Nir Elias
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Israeli Army Says 600 Soldiers Killed Since October 7

A soldier looks on as he carries the casket of Israeli soldier Sergeant Major Alon Kudriashov who was killed in Gaza during the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, at his funeral, in Modiin, Israel, March 31, 2024. REUTERS/Nir Elias
A soldier looks on as he carries the casket of Israeli soldier Sergeant Major Alon Kudriashov who was killed in Gaza during the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, at his funeral, in Modiin, Israel, March 31, 2024. REUTERS/Nir Elias

The Israeli military on Monday announced the death of a soldier in fighting in the Gaza Strip, bringing the total number of troops killed since the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel to 600.

The military announced the death of 20-year-old soldier Nadav Cohen, and updated its overall toll to 600 killed since the attacks that triggered the war.

The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking around 250 people hostage.

Israel responded with an air, land and sea offensive that has killed at least 32,782 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry.

The Israeli military says it has killed over 13,000 Hamas fighters.

The war has displaced most of Gaza’s population and driven a third of its residents to the brink of famine. Northern Gaza has suffered vast destruction and has been largely isolated since October, leading to widespread hunger.



Egypt Aims to Deepen European Cooperation with ‘Strategic Partnership’ with Spain

President of Egypt Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (C-L) is welcomed by Spanish Third Deputy Prime Minister Sara Aagesen (C-R) upon his arrival at Madrid Barajas international airport in Madrid, Spain, 18 February 2025. (EPA)
President of Egypt Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (C-L) is welcomed by Spanish Third Deputy Prime Minister Sara Aagesen (C-R) upon his arrival at Madrid Barajas international airport in Madrid, Spain, 18 February 2025. (EPA)
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Egypt Aims to Deepen European Cooperation with ‘Strategic Partnership’ with Spain

President of Egypt Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (C-L) is welcomed by Spanish Third Deputy Prime Minister Sara Aagesen (C-R) upon his arrival at Madrid Barajas international airport in Madrid, Spain, 18 February 2025. (EPA)
President of Egypt Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (C-L) is welcomed by Spanish Third Deputy Prime Minister Sara Aagesen (C-R) upon his arrival at Madrid Barajas international airport in Madrid, Spain, 18 February 2025. (EPA)

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi kicked off an official visit to Spain on Tuesday, during which he is set to sign an agreement elevating bilateral relations to the level of a “strategic partnership.”

Sisi’s visit is also part of Egypt’s broader efforts to rally international and European support for the Palestinian cause and counter calls for the “forced displacement” of Palestinians.

Cairo’s engagement with Europe has gained momentum recently, particularly after Egypt and the European Union signed a Joint Declaration in March last year, raising their relationship to a “comprehensive strategic partnership.”

A spokesperson for the Egyptian presidency stated that Sisi will meet with Spain’s King and prime minister, as well as representatives of major Spanish companies. He will also participate in an economic forum with the Spanish business community.

Sisi’s visit to Madrid comes at a crucial time when Egypt is mobilizing international support for the Palestinian cause and opposing any displacement of Palestinians.

Ambassador Rakha Ahmed, former Egyptian Assistant Foreign Minister and member of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs, noted that Spain could play a key role in supporting the Arab stance that rejects Palestinian displacement, as it was among four European nations to recently recognize the State of Palestine.

In May, Spain, alongside Ireland, Norway, and Slovenia, officially recognized an independent Palestinian state.

Egypt and other Arab nations have strongly rejected proposals by US President Donald Trump and Israeli officials advocating for the displacement of Gaza’s population. Instead, Cairo has put forward a plan for Gaza’s reconstruction while ensuring its residents remain in place.

Ahmed told Asharq Al-Awsat that Spain’s position on the Palestinian issue aligns with Egypt’s and the broader Arab stance, as it rejects the displacement of Gaza’s residents and supports reconstruction efforts while keeping Palestinians in their homeland.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez stated during a Socialist Workers’ Party conference on Saturday that his country “will not allow the implementation of the US president’s proposal.”

Spain’s support for the Arab position extends to its influence within the European Union, where it could play a leading role in shaping EU policy on the Palestinian issue, according to Ambassador Gamal Bayoumi, former Egyptian Assistant Foreign Minister and former Secretary-General of the Egypt-EU Partnership Unit.

Madrid could emerge as a “key force within the EU in support of Palestinian rights,” he noted.

Bayoumi also emphasized the significance of elevating Egyptian-Spanish relations to a strategic partnership, calling it “a vital step that strengthens cooperation between Cairo and Madrid across multiple sectors.”

He added that the agreements signed during Sisi’s visit would help facilitate trade liberalization and attract more joint investments.

Bilateral trade between Egypt and Spain reached $3.1 billion last year, slightly down from $3.2 billion in 2023. Spanish investments in Egypt totaled $123 million in the last fiscal year, according to Egypt’s Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics.